Primary School recently received 22 environmentally friendly toilets, thanks to a partnership between three local entrepreneurs who wanted to improve the lives of a less-fortunate community. Brothers of White River, Ettiene and Hendrik Pretorius, joined one of Mpumalanga’s most influential businesswomen, Thuli Mashaba

 - originally from Barberton - and initiated the project which commenced in October last year. Having been completed recently, this joyous occasion was celebrated with a big unveiling of the ablution blocks, accompanied by a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Pretorius brothers and Mashaba decided to take their generosity a step further and also upgraded the school’s kitchen and water facilities. The kitchen was converted to a practical facility where three gas burners with three 19-kilogram gas cylinders were installed. Staff previously prepared food on a wood fire which caused a lot of smoke and soot.

Other renovations included the installation of three taps that carried the soap water away through a pipe, instead of pooling up around the old water outlet. “If you are in a privileged position to give, you should,” Thuli believes. Being in a challenging environment is the driving force behind her success and keeps her motivated. Many times she had come head to head with the best in this demanding industry and still came out on top.Ettiene and Hendrik have an impressive property profile in residential, industrial, and green development.

They believe that being an entrepreneur is not something you choose. It is the ability to identify and solve problems, and as a result you’ll be labelled an entrepreneur. They strive not only to grow their property portfolio, but also to give back to communities in need, such as this one in Acornhoek.

“What you have at the end of your life will be determined by how much you gave,” Ettiene believes. These brothers are already planning their future projects and they are looking forward to helping more communities in the upcoming year.